States Pass Legislation that Permits Recreational and Medicinal Use of Marijuana; Advocates Argue that Finance and Health Benefits Justify

byAlex Averin

Legalized marijuana use around the United States:

The United States remains in a state of flux regarding medical marijuana and recreational marijuana use laws. Right now, there are over 20 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have some variation of law which legalizes marijuana in some fashion. So far, only four of those states have passed laws that legalize marijuana for recreational use. Alaska, Oregon, Colorado and Washington have passed state laws that legalize recreational pot use. The rest of the states mentioned below have passed some form of legislation that supports the use of medicinal marijuana.

State by State overview of Recreational Pot Law:

In Alaska, any adult that is 21 years of age or older is permitted by state law to transport, buy or possess as much as an ounce of marijuana and may also possess up to six marijuana plants. In Oregon, legislation was passed that is similar to the state law in Alaska. Adults that are 21 years of age or older in Oregon may possess up to an ounce of marijuana in public and may have up to eight ounces of marijuana in their private homes. Colorado and Washington passed similar legislation in 2012. In Washington, marijuana is legalized for recreational use, as well as medical use. In Colorado, marijuana is a also legalized for medical and recreational use.

List of States that have passed medical marijuana laws:

Maine

New Hampshire

Vermont

Massachusetts

Connecticut

New York

New Jersey

Maryland

Delaware

Michigan

Minnesota

Illinois

New Mexico

Arizona

Nevada

California

Montana

Washington

Colorado

Alaska

Hawaii

Oregon

District of Columbia

As ne can imagine, the legislation that permits the use of medicinal marijuana and medical marijuana is quite controversial. Advocates for the use, and critics against the its use continue to battle for position in the political and legislative sectors. The relatively new legislation in the states listed above continues to ignite heated debate over the pros and cons over the benefits of using THC, the naturally occurring chemical also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Most arguments for the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. center around medicinal benefits and financial benefits that citizens might receive given the drugs legalization.